1) They're relatively* light and low profile. This makes them easy to pack or wear at the airport.
2) They're suitable for many purposes. If you're in the middle of a training cycle, you want some kicks that can support your long run but also be suitable for speed work. Besides, maybe you'll decide to look up a local race while you're on holiday.
3) Except for one (the F-lite 195), they're all relatively* cheap. You shouldn't have to worry about messing up an expensive pair of running shoes on your vacation.
*"Relatively" may mean something different for each category. Obviously, "light" and "cheap" might mean something different between maximalist runners and minimalist runners.
For the Road Runner: The Saucony Kinvara 5 (or the Mirage 4)
I'll be honest. I never used to be a big supporter of the Kinvara. The fit and the cushioning were never to my liking, and it just never turned into the marathon shoe that I wanted it to be. However, Saucony has been listening to its loyal Kinvara followers, and the 5th iteration of the shoe has come out with an overhauled fit and an underfoot feeling that really makes it scream "performance trainer." The Kinvara keeps its sub-8 ounce weight, 4mm offset, and low profile that define its personality. For those that feel a little more comfortable with a medial post for some light stability, the Mirage 4 is a guidance counterpart to the Kinvara.
For the Trail Runner: The Montrail FluidFlex 2
Trail runners often have a hard time getting a satisfying run in while traveling. The FluidFlex is not only lightweight, but it's soft and versatile. The Gryptonite rubber under the forefoot and heel is super grippy on all surfaces, and the soft foam makes it flexible and bouncy for the long haul. It's a great road-to-trail shoe that can hold its own on either or both surfaces.
For the Minimalist: The Merrell Barefoot Road Glove 3 (or Trail Glove 2)
I still do at least half of my runs in zero-drop shoes, and Merrell always seems to have at least a couple of models that don't disappoint me. It's hard to find a minimalist shoe that's not an easy travel shoe, but the Road Glove 3 is my favorite. I hearkens back to the smooth feeling of the Road Glove 1, but it has a better outsole that handles more surfaces. It's a pretty snappy shoe for kicking around town too. For those that want a dual purpose shoe that's a little more trail specific, the Trail Glove 2 will not disappoint.
For the Maximalist: The Hoka OneOne Clifton
The maximalist trend has boomed with as much gusto as the minimalist movement that directly preceded it. However, most maximalist shoes are not easy to pack. Enter the Clifton. At ~8 ounces, the Clifton rivals the Kinvara and other light trainers in feathery weight. Unlike some other light-ish maximalist shoes that sacrifice their characteristic cushion for weight, the Clifton maintains is floaty-ness while feeling light on foot. The blown rubber on the outsole only exists in high abrasion areas, and as many Hoka enthusiast will attest, this road model would be just fine for all but the most technical or slippery trails.
For the Runner/CrossFit Enthusiast: The Inov-8 F-Lite 195
I always enjoyed this shoe as a jack-of-all-trades, master of none kind of shoe. I've used it for 20-milers, track workouts, light trail runs, and several hours in the gym. I don't do CrossFit, but this shoe is definately geared toward that crowd. Like most Inov-8 shoes, it's low-profile, it looks cool, and it weighs in at a svelte 195 grams (hence the designation).
That's my list, and I'm sticking to it. What are your traveling running shoes?
